Bardhaman History, Religion and Mythology

Right from the Stone Age, Bardhaman has witnessed a rich history through time. There are various relics from Stone Age that
are found in the district. Archeological excavations has provided evidence that this area forms a foremost part of Radh Bangal
that could be traced back to 4000-2000 BCE. The place has derived its name from the the 24th Jain Tirthankar Vardhamana Mahavira
in the 6th Century BCE. Epigraphic references in the form of copper-plate has been found in Mallasarul near Galsi. It is believed
that Mahavira, during the course of his sermons and speeches had visited Bardhaman. It is said in Jain scriptures that he spent
some time in Astikagram. After he leaved the place, in his honor the name was changed to Vardhaman, which in time changed to
Bardhaman. Parasnath hill in Dhanbad district of Jharkhand, close to the borders of Bardhaman was an important and holy centre for
the Jains. A large number of stone images of different Tirthankars have been discovered in Bardhaman district.

Bardhaman played an important role during the age of Guptas and Sena kings. During the Sultanate and Mughal period Bardhaman was an
impotant administrative headquarter. Nurjahan the famous queen of the Mughal Harem of Jahangir was the wife of the then Jagirdar
of Bardhaman, Sher Afgan before she was taken to the Mughal Harem. It was Bardhaman that gave sanctum to Pir Baharam when he had
to leave Delhi due to the machinations of Abul Fazal and Faizi in Akbar's time. Even today Hindus and Muslims of Bardhaman recall
Pir Baharam with great regard. Bardhaman has also witnessed the handover treaty of the three villages of Sutanati, Gobindapur and
Kolikata between the Mughals and the East India Company as it was signed at Bardhaman. Later these three villages grew up to be
known as Kolkata or Calcutta today.

According to Indian mythology there is also reference that the Naval of goddess Sati fell here and the Sarbamangala Temple was built in
that point in order to make it a major worship place among the Hindus. Khirogram is also a place where a similar kind of mythological
history can be found. Sri Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu the founder of the Baishnav cult got sanyasa from Keshava Bharathi in Katwa and this
made Katwa a very sacred place for the Baishnavites. Ramakrishna Paramhansa has made the Ishaneshwar Temple in Bardhaman famous due to his visit.